I have some money to spare and I was considering going to one of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu's retreats/events in 2018. That said, I am not sure which ones would be best. His schedule lists retreats on Mandarava, SMS, Atiyoga, Dzogchen teaching, etc. as well as some simply listed "[city name] retreat" and "[gar name] retreat". What is the difference between these retreats, and which are the best to go to to receive the essential Dzogchen teachings?

Also, I have never done any kind of formal retreat before, so I don't know how the ones with DC are run. Are they strict and have set meditation periods and stuff, or is it more casual with only a couple periods where he gives teachings to a group?

Also, how should I prepare generally? Any particular books I should have read? Any practices I should be familiar with? Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks

"Deliberate upon that which does not deliberate."
-Yaoshan Weiyan

"Right now if students are in fact truly genuine, source teachers can contact their potential and activate it with a single word or phrase, or a single act or scene."
-Yuanwu Keqin

The dates labeled "retreat" with no additional info are most likely "to be announced" at a later time.

Most DC retreats consist of Rinpoche's teaching in the morning along with an opportunity to meet with Rinpoche afterwards, and then dancing later in the afternoon. Depending on the location there may be other events during the day or there may not. It's generally a laid back scene.

Wonderful for you that you have the leisure and opportunity to go to a retreat. For many it is not so easy.

Don’t be put off by all the information below – you can show up to a retreat with no preparation and do fine. You can pick things up as you go along. Here are some little advices. Books that may be helpful are listed as appropriate.

Firstly, you may want to think a little about how lucky you are. You may want to consider the many unique freedoms and advantages which are necessary to have the opportunity to met with, and take Dharma teachings, from a real teacher such as ChNNR.

As to what is the subject difference – this is self-explanatory in the name of the retreat. SMS means Santi Maha Sangha and refers to the 9-level course that ChNNR offers to those who are serious about practice. If you obtain the base level book and study it, you might go to the SMS retreat and take the base level test and training. I’ve been told that all who take the test pass, provided you don’t argue with the tester.

If you go to a Mandarava drubchen retreat you will be introduced to a VERY interesting practice that is very helpful for long life and includes many advanced techniques. Take your questions to Nina Robinson if she is there. Buy all the Mandarava books and pamphlets as each has unique information.

Drubchen means that there will be a lot of intense practice. Your take-a-way will be very experiential.

As far as where to attend – China has been off limits to Westerners. Maybe this has changed.

I think the longer is better so look for a 5-day retreat.

Tenerife is very warm at this time of year– also great food and facilities. Easy to rent a car and tour around. Very touristy. Like southern Florida. Visit the other-worldly volcano park and have lunch at the 5-star restaurant there. Excellent facilities / restaurants.

Also drive around the island and see the tourist sights – many to see and enjoy.

But my favorite place would be Italy / Merigar as the food is best. It is also the Mother Gar. The hill towns surrounding Merigar are beautiful and historic. You will be surrounded by hundreds of old practitioners. Just sounding Ah is impressive. The art in the Gompa is impressive. Check out the tomb of David Lazoretti. Check out the Bimboli restaurant on Amiata for fungi (mushroom) soup and pizza (quattro stagionne con uovo in centro)– best pizza in the world. Try frutti di bosco gelato (fresh mixed berry ice cream). This alone is worth the trip. Many wonderful restaurants. Excellent facilities / hotels. I’ve had a home on Amiata since ’85 and I try to stay there a few months every year. The light is different.

At the retreat.

Ask questions of smiling old-timers and keep asking until you get your questions resolved. You might want to keep a list of new words so you can find out what they mean later.

Yantra Yoga is a good way to exercise and help your breathing. There are many teachers. Teaching styles vary. Try to find one who is sympatico with your personality. John Renshaw and Francesco Paolo Coppola are my favorites, and I can personally vouch that if you have them as teachers you will have a useful take-a-way and all your questions will be answered. I would tend to trust smiling teachers.

Again – many teachers. My favorite is Adriana dal Borgo. Again, try to find one who is sympatico with your personality. Again, I would tend to trust smiling teachers.

Joyous singing and dancing – Rinpoche’s introduction to Tibetan cultural singing and dancing. The dancing looks strange but try it - It makes Rinpoche happy to see many people singing and dancing and this is a good thing. Any activity that takes place in the presence of a Dzogchen Master is a Dzogchen practice.

As krodha said, the retreats are pretty laid back and there is usually a teaching session from 10AM to noon and sometimes from 4-6PM.

The last day there are lung (speed reading in Tibetan) renditions of many of the practices. Receiving the lung conveys the official “permission” to read and do the practice.

There are also practical advices for life in general on the last day.

Bring a day pack to hold all the support necessities that you may need during a 2-hour teaching: small water, throat lozenges, Kleenex, etc.
In Spain and Italy, it is easy to get Sim cards for your cell phone. Don’t forget to turn your cell phone off during the teachings.

In relation to receiving the Direct Introduction / Pointing Out Instructions there is no difference in the retreats – My 2 cents – keep your back very straight – I find this helps and then you avoid a kind of physical shock if you hear a loud noise. If you hear a loud noise, (Rinpoche sometimes shouts a loud syllable) observe your mind and relax into what occurs or doesn’t occur.